Let’s move to Lewes, East Sussex: ‘Once a hotbed of radicalism’

Lewes Castle, East Sussex: ‘Pretty, old and curious.’
Photograph: Alamy

What’s going for it? Once upon a time, Lewes was a hotbed of feverish radicalism. That time was 1772, when the town’s excise officer, one Thomas Paine, had had quite ENOUGH, thank you very much. So cheesed off at work were Tom and his colleagues, he published The Case Of The Officers Of Excise, a plea for better working conditions and salaries, and a more select variety of biscuits in the staff room. Paine and his pals concocted their shocking thoughts over a few pints in the White Hart Hotel, in what they called the Headstrong Club. Needless to say they fell on deaf ears, and two years later Paine was off to America – more fertile ground for revolt, perhaps, than Sussex – to inspire the American and French revolutions. As you do.

These days, Lewes’s politics are slightly less convulsive. The town is so pretty, old and curious – all tile-hung cottages with the whiff of hops on the air from Harvey’s Brewery – it could be an exhibit on Antiques Roadshow. But don’t be fooled. The town is full of Marxist lecturers from Sussex University. They like to burn effigies of David Cameron at their famous/infamous Bonfire bight. The Headstrong Club has been revived. And they still print Tom Paine’s scorching pamphlets at a press on the High Street. The revolution may still come.

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The case against Not cheap, but then where is round here? A little artsy-provincial whimsy.

Well connected? Trains: six an hour to Brighton (15 mins or so), four to Eastbourne (25 mins) and three to Hastings (over an hour); two an hour to Gatwick (35 mins) and London Victoria (75 mins). Driving: 25 mins to Brighton if the traffic’s OK; the south coast “motorway” the A27 passes by, as unpredictable as the weather.

Where to buy Dreamy property in the old centre, the High Street as backbone tumbling down to the Ouse, with old lanes – twittens – peeling off either side, and the crumbly old castle on top. Georgians and 18th century – with hanging tiles and roses round the porch – especially. Look also south to Southover, north to the Pells. For peachy suburbs go to Wallands Park with especially nice late Victorians and Edwardians. Detacheds and townhouses, £500,000-£1.6m. Semis, £325,000-£800,000. Terraces and cottages, £300,000-£550,000. Flats, £150,000-£550,000. Rentals: a one-bedroom flat, £775-975pcm; a three-bedroom house, £1,200-£1,850pcm.

Bargain of the week Three-bedroom 1960s semi in Ringmer, just outside, £270,000 with fox‑and-sons.co.uk.